<div><img style="" class="img-responsive" src="https://www.qsl.qa/sites/default/files/%D9%85%D9%86%20%D9%85%D8%A8%D8%A…; alt="Alt" title="" /></div>
<p>The QNB Stars League Week 17 witnessed exciting contests, intense battles and upset results as the teams pulled up their socks with five rounds of action remaining. A total of 13 goals were scored and only one match ended in a draw.</p><p>Leaders Al Sadd extended their lead on top of the standings as they moved four points clear of reigning champions Al Duhail.</p><p>Al Sadd defeated Al Rayyan 4-0 in the much-awaited Qatar Clasico in front of a large crowd at the Al Sadd Stadium, which wore a festive look with Fan Zone and other activities. Tournament top scorer Baghdad Bounedjah, Abdelkarim Hassan and Akram Afif (two goals including a penalty) scored the goals.</p><p>Al Sadd moved to 44 points, four ahead of Al Duhail and 14 more than Al Rayyan.</p><p>It was Al Sadd’s 14th victory in the 2018-19 season QNB Stars League, the most by any team, while Al Rayyan suffered their third defeat.</p>
<div><img style="" class="img-responsive" src="https://www.qsl.qa/sites/default/files/%D9%85%D9%86%20%D9%85%D8%A8%D8%A…; alt="Alt" title="" /></div>
<p>Al Rayyan slipped from third to fourth position as The Lions remained on 30 points.</p><p>Al Sadd’s achievement came after Al Duhail dropped points following a goalless draw with Al Gharafa.</p><p>The result was a big blow to The Red Knights’ bid to retain the title. Ace Moroccan striker Yousef El Arabi and new Japanese recruit Shoya Nakajima all tried hard, but could not make a breakthrough. Theye were also affected by the absence of Almoez Ali who was the Most Valuable Player and top scorer at the recent Asian Cup, where Qatar emerged as victorious.</p><p>It was the fifth time that Al Duhail were dropping points as they had been drawn three times earlier and lost once.</p>
<div><img style="" class="img-responsive" src="https://www.qsl.qa/sites/default/files/%D9%85%D9%86%20%D9%85%D8%A8%D8%A…; alt="Alt" title="" /></div>
<p>For Al Gharafa, it was a big consolation as they had lost to Umm Salal in the previous round.</p><p>Al Sailiya were back to the third place from fifth with 31 points after defeating Al Ahli 1-0, with Abdulqadir Ilyas netting the all-important goal. The Brigadiers slipped one position to fifth with 29 points.</p><p>Bottom side Al Kharaitiyat beating Umm Salal 1-0, with Valentin Lazar scoring the winner, was a stunner. The victory gave The Thunders three valuable points as they struggle to avoid relegation.</p>
<div><img style="" class="img-responsive" src="https://www.qsl.qa/sites/default/files/DABS6891.JPG&quot; alt="Alt" title="" /></div>
<p>While Umm Salal stood at 20 points, Al Kharaitiyat have six points, still lagging behind Al Khor, who stunned Qatar SC 3-1 to be on 12 points.</p><p>Thiago Bezerra, Wagner Dos Santos and Musaab Abdulmajid were on target for Al Khor. Samuel Eto’o scored for Qatar SC, who remained on 16 points.</p><p>Al Arabi collected three valuable points, taking their tally to 24, after beating Al Shahania 2-1 in the other fixture. The losers stood on 17 points.</p>